Adipurush, the 2023 mythological epic starring Prabhas, featured Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan in the role of the antagonist, Lankesh—an adaptation of the mythological figure Ravana. While the film aimed to present a modern retelling of the Ramayana, with Prabhas as Lord Rama and Kriti Sanon as Sita, it was surrounded by controversy, especially regarding Saif’s portrayal.
From the moment the teaser and trailer were released, Saif’s look as Ravana faced heavy trolling and criticism on social media. The backlash continued even after the film hit theatres, with many fans and critics expressing disappointment in his character design and overall portrayal. Several scenes involving Saif were later edited or visually altered following the negative response.
Now, for the first time, Saif Ali Khan has addressed the criticism. In a recent conversation, he revealed that he watched Adipurush again—this time with his son—and admitted it was a disappointing experience. He went on to say that his son felt like he was being forced to watch the movie, and Saif immediately sensed it. The actor even apologized to his son for taking up the role, a statement that has since gone viral on social media.
Saif’s honest confession has sparked renewed discussions about Adipurush and how the film’s ambitious vision might have fallen short in execution, particularly in portraying one of Indian mythology’s most iconic villains. Fans believe Saif’s talent was underutilized, and now, it seems the actor himself shares that sentiment.
